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Disturbing 'death threat' twist after teenager's US Open stunner

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Emma Raducanu, pictured here after beating Shelby Rogers in the fourth round at the US Open.
Emma Raducanu beat Shelby Rogers in the fourth round at the US Open. Image: Getty

Shelby Rogers has shed a light on the disgusting online abuse tennis players receive after a loss, saying she was expecting "nine million death threats" after being defeated by Emma Raducanu at the US Open.

The American shocked the tennis world on Saturday when she dumped World No.1 Ash Barty out of the hard-court grand slam in a third-round boilover.

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She rightly went into her fourth-round clash with British 18-year-old Raducanu as the favourite on Monday, but couldn't repeat her remarkable display against Barty.

“Obviously we appreciate the spotlight in those moments. But then, you know, you have today and I’m going to have nine million death threats and whatnot,” Rogers said in her post-match press conference after the straight-sets loss.

“It’s very much polarising, one extreme to the other very quickly.”

Rogers jumped to a quick lead and had a break point to go up 3-0, then dropped 11-straight games in a 6-2, 6-1 loss to the 18-year-old.

She said after the match she kind of wished social media didn't exist, because hers was going to be filled with negativity.

“It’s a big part of marketing now. We have contracts, we have to post certain things,” she said.

"I don’t know, you could probably go through my profile right now, I’m probably a 'fat pig' and, you know, words that I can’t say right now.

Shelby Rogers, pictured here after beating Ash Barty in the third round at the US Open.
Shelby Rogers beat Ash Barty in the third round at the US Open. Image: Getty

“But, I mean, it is what it is. You try not to take it to heart, and it’s the unfortunate side of any sport and what we do.”

Rogers said the players try to ignore the abuse, but it gets extremely difficult.

“You know, just focusing on the important things, not comments from people in their mom’s basement,” Rogers said.

"It’s really unfortunate and some of it does get to your head sometimes. I mean, they write some true things sometimes for sure - you’re up a break and you have another break point. These are facts.

“But social media can’t control what I’m doing and the way my training is going to go moving forward, but I wish it didn’t exist. It’s really tough.”

Sloane Stephens reveals flood of abusive comments

Fellow American Sloane Stephens had also spoken out about the flood of abuse she received after losing in the third round.

Stephens said the "hate is so exhausting and never ending" after her loss to 2017 champion Angelique Kerber on Friday, estimating she received more than 2000 offensive or angry comments.

"It's so hard to read messages like these, but I'll post a few so you guys can see what it's like after a loss," the 28-year-old wrote in an Instagram story.

"This type of hate is so exhausting and never ending.

"This isn't talked about enough, but it really freaking sucks... I'm happy to have people in my corner who support me. I'm choosing positive vibes over negative ones.

"I choose to show you guys happiness on here, but it's not always smiles and roses."

Stephens, who has been ranked as high as World No.3, then posted some supportive messages she had received from her team after the loss.

with agencies

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